Has anyone successfully removed asbestos themselves, despite concerns about safety?
Asked by پارمیس پارسا 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 12, 2024
Update: Good news, the test results are in and it turns out we don’t have asbestos! Thank you so much for all of your advice.
We sent in samples to double-check if what we suspected to be asbestos was indeed asbestos.
Now, my grandma, who is also the landlord and the person I am purchasing the house from, is suggesting we remove the asbestos ourselves if it is present.
I mentioned that I have concerns about doing it safely, but I’m curious if anyone has ever managed to do this successfully?
Is it floor tile, pipe insulation, house shingles, or something else?
Is on the bathroom floor
Tiles have the potential to come loose, but the real issue lies with the glue.. you might want to try doing an online search
For this task, it’s best to bring in an environmental services contractor with the expertise. Keep in mind that different states have specific laws and regulations for removal and disposal.
Asbestos becomes problematic when it becomes airborne. If you can remove the tiles without breaking them, the risk of it becoming airborne is minimized. However, there is a high probability that the glue used also contains asbestos, which is a different issue. In terms of remodeling, it’s often simplest to encapsulate the tiles by covering them up.
Mentioned that it serves as the adhesive.
We tackled it on our own, cutting out the subfloor in large sections and leaving the individual tiles in place. Of course, we made sure to wear the right gear for protection.
I would hire a dedicated contractor for this job. It can actually be quite hazardous, and it’s easy to overlook the risks. Proper disposal is key as well. You can’t just toss it in the trash.
Consider reaching out to the environmental control office at the state level and posing some hypothetical scenarios for clarification. Generally, homeowners have more leeway compared to businesses when it comes to these matters.
I’ve been in the flooring business for 30 years and never saw an installer die from asbestosis. Insulation is the wild card because it is not a contained substance.
Think about it this way – since it can take up to 40 years to see the effects, maybe give it another ten years before drawing any conclusions on who has been impacted.
Back in the day, I used to hang out with guys in their 40s and 50s when I first started in the industry and thankfully none of them passed away from asbestos exposure; they’re all gone now.
Unfortunately, we lost a few people to mesothelioma… It took 30-40 years and then they suffered a terrible, painful death. It’s not something to take lightly.
I managed to reach the 30-40 year mark in the trade, pulling thousands of feet of old act and corlon. Just had a full chest x-ray 2 months ago, and thankfully everything was clear.
Nice. I hope things continue to go well for you. I wouldn’t want that for anyone.
Makes a good point about the importance of avoiding asbestos exposure!
Keep it to yourself and dispose of it discreetly in a dumpster.
Yep, used a P100 mask and full hazmat suit, worked under negative pressure. Made sure to clean up thoroughly afterwards. Minor exposure won’t pose a risk. I tackled this task in 2022, invested in a PRED750 Portable Air Scrubber, and later sold it for $50 less than I bought it for after completing the project.
Never disrupt anything that contains asbestos. The fibers can linger in the air even after removal. Consider covering it with a different flooring or hiring a professional asbestos contractor.
You can do it yourself if you know what you’re doing and have the right equipment. Surprisingly, there are no laws to follow if you DIY, even for disposal. Only hired companies have to adhere to regulations and disposal.
“Safe” is kind of a relative thing. Asbestos-containing floor tile is considered one of the safer asbestos-containing building materials because of how dense and tightly bound it is. That means it typically won’t release asbestos-containing dust during normal handling. (And remember, dust is the main issue here – breathing in airborne dust with asbestos fibers is the real danger. Materials like steam pipe insulation, which are light, dry, airy, and easily crumbled, pose a much higher risk.)
Hey, so we need to swap out the bathroom subfloor. The wood is rotting from an old toilet leak that was never fixed.
I get it, you’re in a tough spot. It’s up to you whether you want to tackle it yourself or hire a professional for asbestos removal. We all face decisions like this when it comes to home repairs, weighing factors like cost, timing, past experiences, and our instincts. There’s nothing wrong with playing it safe. (Back in my younger days, I had no problem climbing roofs and ladders, but now it’s a definite “hire a pro” situation).
That being said, if I were in your shoes, I might lean towards a DIY approach considering that floor tiles are not easily crumbled and the amount is probably minimal (just a bathroom, not the entire house). I’d check with the local health department for any regulations on homeowners removing asbestos-containing tiles, and ask my trash service provider if they can handle the disposal process, including bagging requirements, fees, etc. If they give me a clear plan, I’d go for it. I’d make sure to wear proper protective gear, keep the floor moist while working, and not stress about it.
Keep in mind, this advice is specific to floor tiles. For more delicate materials like steam pipe insulation, I’d always recommend bringing in a professional. But when it comes to floor tiles, the risk level is not the same.
The outcome can vary based on the regulations in your region. I remember a homeowner who mishandled the situation and ended up with a hefty six-figure fine for breaking our asbestos removal and disposal laws. Eventually, they managed to get the fine lowered, but it was still a substantial five-figure amount. You’ll likely need specialized equipment to create negative air pressure, clean the affected areas, and conduct air sampling before and after the process in most cases. Make sure to do your due diligence, as hiring professionals could potentially be more cost-effective.
That’s the reason I recommended contacting their state asbestos people and posing a hypothetical inquiry.
None of this is completely safe. However, some actions are definitely riskier than others. What exactly are you planning to get rid of? Can you share any photos?
I don’t have any pictures, I’ll have my husband take some when he goes out there tonight
It’s funny how people feel so confident that they did it safely because there are no immediate side effects of exposure. There are plenty of precautions you can take to stay safe. But it may take 15 to 20 years before you truly find out if you were significantly exposed.
Hey, it’s the adhesive used in the bathroom flooring that’s concerning us. We’re planning to replace the subfloor due to a toilet leak. We haven’t gone back into the bathroom since we discovered it, except to take samples for testing. We’re focusing on the rest of the house for now and keeping that room off-limits until we figure it out.
I have a baby, so I want to make sure it’s completely safe for her when we move in.
It’s great that you’re being careful. Asbestos can be found in a lot of things, but flooring isn’t too bad since it’s not easily crumbled. Since you have a baby, I suggest doing an instant lead test and swabbing everything.
There are certain tasks that require training and specialized equipment to be handled properly. This happens to be one of them. It’s best to hire a professional.
Nope, consider hiring someone for this task.
If you’re not comfortable leaving the floor tile as is, you could probably handle removing it yourself with some patience and research. However, there are some details to consider that might complicate matters. The adhesive used to glue the tiles down could contain asbestos too, making it trickier to remove without causing dust. Plus, there might be local rules about how you dispose of the materials you take out. If you do decide to remove the tiles, the easiest route would be to hire a licensed professional to handle it.
Asbestos-containing floor tile is often just left in place and covered up with a new layer of different flooring, which is a pretty safe and sensible option. If it were me, that’s what I’d go for first.
Asbestos is a serious health hazard, but the key is to limit exposure. Those who spent years in shipyards were at high risk. As a homeowner, taking proper precautions reduces the risk of harm. Remember, everything around us can potentially cause cancer in some way. So take a deep breath (before you begin, ha ha), wear a mask and protective clothing, avoid using vacuums, wet it down to reduce airborne particles, and dispose of it following local guidelines.
There really isn’t a safe level that is considered acceptable.
I don’t recall mentioning that.
Nope, it’s also against the law, lol
‘s situation varies based on the legality in the area; for me, getting rid of it as a homeowner is cost-free compared to the high cost for a contractor.